Chairman of the Edo State Economic and Strategy Team, Godwin Obaseki, on Sunday emerged the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 10 election in Edo State.
He polled 1,618 votes to defeat 11 others including incumbent Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu.
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, the leader of the party’s national delegation that conducted the primary election, announced the results in Benin, the state capital.
Masari described the election as credible, fair and free and urged the losers and their supporters to close ranks ahead of the crucial governorship election in the state.
A breakdown of the result showed that Odubu got 471 votes; former minister of state for works, Chris Ogiemwonyi, 137 votes; Ken Imasuagbon, 247 votes; a former governor of the state, Osariemen Osunbor, eight votes and Prof. Ebegue Amadasu polled eight votes.
Similarly, Charles Airhiabvere, a retired major general, garnered 11 votes; Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula, 10 votes; Austin Emuan, seven votes; Blessing Agbomhere, fives votes, and the only female aspirant, Tina Agbarha, three votes.
Mr. Masari said 41 votes were invalid.
In his victory speech, Obaseki, believed to be the anointed candidate of incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomhole, said his triumph was a collective one which required cooperation of all party members to succeed.
He noted that with the conclusion of the primaries a new phase that would define the future had commenced.
He described other aspirants as accomplished people and urged them to continue to work for the party to ensure its success in the governorship election.
He promised to build on the success recorded by the present administration.
Also speaking Governor Adams Oshiomhole described the primaries as the best ever organised by the party.
He noted that the process was transparent, while the delegates were well behaved and called for unity among party members.
He said all the aspirants belonged to one family and needed to work together to ensure victory at the polls.
Oshiomhole, who described as sound, said he was also at home with governance and “ready to hit the ground running.”
